New Delhi: According to a leaked American document, Russian intelligence officers were reportedly caught boasting that they had convinced the oil-rich United Arab Emirates “to work together against US and UK intelligence agencies.” The document, which carried top-secret markings and was viewed by The Associated Press, was posted online as part of a significant US intelligence breach.
US officials have not commented on the leaked document. Meanwhile, the Emirati government has vehemently denied any allegations of strengthening ties with Russian intelligence, dismissing them as "categorically false" on Monday.
One of the two documents, dated Feb. 28, stated that in the event of Ukraine's failure to strengthen its air defense munitions supplies in time, Russia could potentially achieve air superiority and commence flying military aircraft over the territories held by Ukrainian forces.
Referring to the main successor agency of the Soviet-era KGB, the document seen by the AP says: “In mid-January, FSB officials claimed UAE security service officials and Russia had agreed to work together against US and UK Intelligence agencies, according to newly acquired signals intelligence.” Signals intelligence refers to intercepted communications, whether telephone calls or electronic messages.
“The UAE probably views engagement with Russian intelligence as an opportunity to strengthen growing ties between Abu Dhabi and Moscow and diversify intelligence partnerships amid concerns of US disengagement from the region,” the assessment concluded, referring to the UAE capital, as per AP.
Some of the documents may have been altered or used as part of a misinformation campaign, U.S. officials said. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Monday urged caution, “since we know at least in some cases that information was doctored.”